Boat



. Sept 13, 1938.

FCZ.

J, A. SCRUGGS BOAT Filed June 13, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY Sept. 13, 1938.

INVENTOR MZ# ATTORNEY Sept. 13, 1938. J. A. scRUGGs BOAT , Filed June 13, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 13, 1938 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

The invention relates to a boat construction and more especially to a collapsible or knockdown boats.

The primary object of the invention is the pro- 5 vision of a boat of this character, wherein the sides and bottom of the same are formed in sections or panels, these being separably assembled so that when the boat is knocked down these sections or panels can be placed one upon the other as the latter lay at thus making a very compact package. f

Another object of the invention is the provision of a boat of this character, wherein the body of the latter may be built with or without gaskets 1" or packings at the joints of the same, and by the employment of cables the side sections or panels of the body are hooped to hold the same in a longitudinal direction and also in contact with n the bottom of said body, there being exerted an *O- approximately equal inward pressure at all points along the sides of the boat, while dowel pins interlock with the sections or panels throughout the sides and bottom of said body. y A further object of the invention is the provi- 1J sion of a boat of this character, which is simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and efficient in its makeup, strong, durable, readily and easily knocked down and set up, and inexpensive to q manufacture. 4 With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings which disclose the preferred embodiment of the inventionl and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of the boat set up and constructed in accordance with the inven- Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional view.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional View show- 4" ing the manner of fastening the side with the bottom.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of fastener. y

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the man- 50 ner of fastening thel side sections or .panels together.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the stern end of the boat.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary horizontal Sectional 55 view through the bow or the boat,

Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective View of a modification showing the manner of fastening the side sections or panels together. t Figure 10 is a side view of another modifica- 1on. r t Figure 11 is a side view of a further modifica- Figure 12 is a sectional View on the line I2-I2 of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 12 show- 19 ing the cam operating levers open.

Figure 14 is a sectional view on the line III-I4* of Figure 11.

Figure 15 is a section on the line I5-I5.

Referring to the drawings in detail the boat 15 constituting the present invention comprises a body A composed of outwardly bulged sides B and a bottom C, respectively. The sides B are formed from a plurality of sections or panels I0 which in upright position make contact with each other at their meeting edges I I and in this position are separably fastened together by a swinging latching hook I2 and a staple-like keeper I3, respectively. Socketed in the meeting edges II of the sections or panels Ii) are dowel pins I4 which 25 span the joints between the latter and interlock the same with each other.

The sections or panels I0 at the bow and stern ends of the body A have tongue and groove ttings I5 and IB, respectively with bow and stern 30 pieces I 1 and I8, respectively.

The Abottom C is formed from a plurality of sections or panels I9, which are arranged edge to edge for contact at their meeting edges 29 with each other, the joints of these being disposed transversely of the bottom and staggered with respect to the joints of the side sections lor panels III.

The sections or panels I9 have beveled tongue and groove fitting 2| with the sections or panels 1o I0 of the sides B, while the latter have an abutment overhang 22 with' respect to the bottom C. Socketed in the meeting edges 20 of the sections or panels I9 are dowel pins 23 which span the joints between the latter and separably interlock the same with each other.

The assembled bottom C is detachably secured to the sides B through kthe use of the latching hooks 24 and keepers 25, respectively.

Threaded through suitable transverse holes 26 5o in the bow piece I1 are longitudinally directed upper and lower side tying cables 21, these being trained rearwardly around the stern piece I8 and at their eye ends 28 have loose connection with turn-buckles 29 fastened by anchoring brackets 55 30 exteriorly to the said stern piece I8. These cables 21 when in tying positions rest in seating channels 3| formed externally in the side sections or panels IIJ.

Longitudinally of the bottom C outside of the same at its center is a tying cable 32 which is xedly connected with the bow piece H and adjustably connected with the stern piece I8, respectively. v

In Figure of the drawings there is shown a slight modification of latching means, namely xed interiitting hook and keeper 33 and 34, respectively, the hook being carried by the side section and the keeper by the bottom section vof the body of the boat.

The side sections or panels I3 at their meeting edges Il are cut-away at 35 on the inside to reduce the thickness of such edges Il so that they will more readily compress through the stress of the side cables 2l than the bottom sections or panels I9 to assure watertight seams at the joints between the said side sections or panels.

The tensioning ofthe cables 2 and 32 is had by the use of the turn-buckles in association therewith.

In Figure 9 of the drawings there is shown a slight modification, wherein the stern end 36 of the boat has xed thereto body plates 3l of hooks 38, these being engaged by the eyes 39 Vof turn-buckle assemblies 40 which are linked to tying cables 4|.

In Figure of the drawings there is shown another modiiication, wherein at the bow of the boat is mounted a holding plate 42 having upper and lower rearwardly directed ears 43 and 44, respectively, these being linked at 45 to the tying cables 46. i

In Figures 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 there is shown a further modification, wherein at the bow 41 are fixed thereto spaced bearings 48 in which are journaled turning shafts 49 which are provided at opposite ends with eccentrics 5G having tted in their outer faces eccentrically acting pivot pins 5| on which are journaled eyes 52 of turnbuckle assemblies 53 linked at 54 with the tying cables 55. The shafts 49 have secured thereto actuating levers 56, these being shaped to conform to the shafts 49 for latching therewith at 51 when inwardly closed onto the same. The eccentrics 5i) eifect the tightening and slackening of the tying cables at vthe sides of the boat.

The cutaway section 35 is not absolutely necessary as the entire side panel may be reduced in thickness to secure the same result. The tension in the cables not only tightens the joints between the side panels, but also tightens the joints between the side and bottom panels. This happens for the reason that the resistance to compression in the side panels (due to the cutaway or thinner section or softer material) is less than the resistance of the bottom. This difference inresistance causes the sides to attempt to approach a straight line between the stem and stern; This causes the side panels to iit snugly against the ends of the bottom panels forming a tight joint and with the correct shape at the joint 2| with the bottom in the boat Without aid of the hooks and catches 24 and 25 or latch 33 and 34.

What is claimed is:

1. A knockdown boat of the kind described, comprising a sectional body including sides and a bottom, respectively, each formed of a plurality of separable sections, the sections being disposed edge to edge transversely of the body and bottom, a bow piece interfitting said body and bottom, the body and bottom being interlocked with said bow piece, a stern piece intertting the body and bottom, overhangs formed on the sections of the sides for the bottom sections and having thelatter seated against the same for the interiitting thereof, and spaced upper and lower flexible elements arranged exteriorly of the body in longitudinal direction and adjustably coupled directly to the bow and stern pieces for exerting equal inward pressure upon the sections of the body and pieces, respectively.

2. A knockdown boat of the kind described, comprising a sectional body including a bottom, the sections being disposed edge to edge transversely of the body and bottom, a bow piece intertting said body and bottom, a stern piece interfitting the body and bottom, flexible elements arranged exteriorly of the body in a longitudinal direction and adjustably coupled directly to the bow and stern pieces for exerting equal inward pressure upon the sections of the body and pieces, respectively, means associated with said elements for increasing or decreasing the pressure, turnable eccentricseonnected with said means, and levers operating the eccentrics and latched at one end of the body.

3. A knockdown boat of the kind described, comprising a sectional body including a bottom, the sections being disposed edge to edge transversely of the body and bottom, a bow piece interiitting said body and bottom, a stern piece intertting the body and bottom, iiexible elements arranged exteriorly of the body in a longitudinal direction and adjustably coupled directly to the bow and stern pieces for exerting equal pressure inwardly upon the sections of the body and pieces, respectively, means associated with said elements for increasing or decreasing the pressure, turnable eccentrics connected with said means, levers operating the eccentrics and latched at one end of the body, and formations on the body for seating the elements.

4. A knockdown boat of the kind described, comprising a sectional body including a bottom, the sections being disposed edge to edge transversely of the body and bottom, a bow piece interi'ltting said body and bottom, a stern piece intertting the body and bottom, flexible elements arranged exteriorly of the body and bottom in a longitudinal direction and adjustably coupled directly to the bow and stern pieces for exerting equal pressure inwardly upon the sections of the body and pieces, respectively, means associated with said elements for increasing or decreasing the pressure, turnable eccentrics connected with said means', levers operating the eccentrics and latched at one end of the body, formations on the body and bottom for seating the elements, and means interiorly on the body and engaged with the bottom for separable fastening the latter with the body. JOSEPH A. SCRUGGS. 

